Cab drivers put passengers’ lives at risk; watch videos, reels on mobile while driving

Despite being counselled and warned of stringent action by the traffic police, the problem of drivers being hooked on to mobile phones continues while giving anxious moments to the passengers. These incidents highlight serious lapses in road safety, enforcement, and platform accountability

Hyderabad: A concerning trend has emerged across the city’s ride-hailing ecosystem, with bike taxi, auto, and cab drivers often caught enjoying video ranging from social media reels to mobile games, watching movies or talking on the phone behind the wheel, while passengers are onboard.

The use of phones is mandatory for cab booking, payments, and travel routes (maps), and Bluetooth devices are used to connect with passengers. However, these are being misused by some. Phones are being attached to holders on the cabins of cars and steering wheels of autos, and drivers are seen watching cricket, movies, and social media with Bluetooth devices attached to their ears.

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Despite being counselled and warned of stringent action by the traffic police, the problem of drivers being hooked on to mobile phones continues while giving anxious moments to the passengers. These incidents highlight serious lapses in road safety, enforcement, and platform accountability.

In March, a video surfaced on social media showing a cab driver in Hyderabad playing PUBG on his phone while navigating busy streets with a passenger. Despite warnings by the passenger, the driver continued, prompting outrage on social media. This is not an isolated incident, but several others go unreported each day and constitute potentially fatal distractions.

Ironically, traffic police can issue challans only when people hold their phones and make or receive calls while driving. In the first five months of this year, challans were issued to 24,312 people for driving while using mobile phones. However, there is no possibility of issuing challans when the phone is attached to the vehicle and hands-free systems (such as voice commands, Bluetooth headsets, and earbuds) are used.

However, the police warn that driving while talking or looking at a phone is equivalent to drunk driving. “Using a phone for entertainment while driving violates the Motor Vehicles Act and can lead to fines, licence suspension, or even criminal charges if accidents result,” said a senior traffic police official.

Hyderabad’s fast-paced traffic demands constant focus, yet these drivers are prioritising screen time over safety, putting passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists at grave risk. On the other hand, requests are made to ride-hailing services to institute stricter monitoring, such as AI-powered behaviour detection, immediate driver dismissal, and transparent disciplinary processes.

Citizens opine that traffic authorities should treat in-ride video footage as admissible evidence, actively patrol during peak hours, conduct special drives, and rigorously penalise offenders under the Indian Motor Vehicles Act.